Archives
The Confessional Presbyterian Archive is a curated digital library dedicated to preserving and promoting the writings of 17th–20th century Presbyterian pastors, teachers, and leaders. Featuring thousands of searchable texts, biographies, and historical resources, the archive provides direct access to the primary-source materials of American Presbyterianism.
The Sabbath Question: Sunday Observance and Sunday Laws
Sermons and addresses debating Christian duty on the Lord's Day, critiquing rigid tradition and exploring the Sabbath as primarily a day of rest and the role of Sunday laws.
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Andover and Creed-Subscription
Examines the Andover seminary debate over enforced creed-subscription. Argues subscription is largely futile, may exclude scrupulous candidates, and at most belongs to theological chairs.
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Polygamy in New England
1882 Princeton Review essay comparing New England's legally licensed, consecutive bigamy with Mormon (Utah) simultaneous polygamy, assessing social, moral and legal consequences.
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Divorce Reform
1883 essay advocating divorce-law reform, distinguishing personal Gospel morality from public law, and urging churches to uphold marriage through discipline and stricter statutes.
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Deutsche Geistliche Lieder: The Hymns of Martin Luther Set to Their Original Melodies, With an English Version
Introduction to Martin Luther's hymns and their original melodies, showing how vernacular Bible and worship shaped the Reformation and national life. Praises songs like "Ein feste Burg."
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Prayer and Miracle in Relation to Natural Law
Essays debating reason vs. revelation and whether prayer and miracles can coexist with fixed natural laws; argues that divine action and scientific law are compatible.
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The Church-Book: Hymns and Tunes for the Uses of Christian Worship
1884 hymnal for Christian worship: collections of psalms, chants, hymns, and tunes with musical attributions, selections for chanting, and comprehensive indexes.
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Lessons from the Riot in Cincinnati
Sermon urging Christians to submit to civil authority, renounce private vengeance, and enforce law firmly; advocates decisive, lawful use of state power to prevent riots.
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The Double Function of Music in the Church
Essay argues church music has two functions—congregational praise and didactic/choir performance—and urges worship orders that assign distinct, edifying roles to each.
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Of Uncertainty and Partial Knowledge
Argues the Epistle to the Romans is a situational letter, not a systematic theology. Reflects on Christ's boundless love and on human partial knowledge as a divine discipline urging diligent seeking.
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Of the Petition of Certain Greeks
Argues Revelation's imagery draws on the Old Testament and rabbinic sources; reflects on John 12:20–33, where devout Greeks show Gentile readiness and open the way for the gospel.
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The Evening and the Morning: A Summer Evening Meditation in the Woodland Church, Philadelphia
Argues for seminary-based ministerial education and its necessity for the Church. A meditation on 'the evening and the morning' (genesis 1), providence in history, and the resurrection.
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God’s Voice in the Cool of the Day: A Summer Evening Meditation, in the Woodland Church, Philadelphia
Essay warns the pulpit must keep spiritual power through sacrificial, Spirit-filled preaching; meditation on Gen 3:8 shows God's evening voice calling souls to reflection and revival.
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Isaac’s Meditation at Eventide: A Summer Evening Meditation, in the Woodland Church, Philadelphia
Homiletic essays on the pulpit's waning influence, Paul's self-sacrificing ministry, Isaac's evening meditation (Gen 24), and the Lord's Prayer as a model for prayer.
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William Lloyd Garrison
Review of William Lloyd Garrison: a mild-mannered but uncompromising abolitionist whose strategic vitriol, pacifism, and temperance advocacy provoked enemies and divided allies.
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John Brown
A critical review of F.B. Sanborn's Life of John Brown, calling it a literary failure despite rich material. Traces Brown's upbringing, character, and abolitionist fame.
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The New Method of Church Discipline
Critiques the 'pamphlet and post-office' method of church discipline as bypassing New Testament private admonitions, trivializing heresy charges, and promoting reckless public denunciation.
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The Defeat of Party Despotism by the Re-Enfranchisement of the Individual Citizen: An argument for the Restoration of Majority Elections
Leonard W. Bacon critiques party despotism and professional politicians for disenfranchising citizens and causing voter apathy. He argues for restoring majority elections to re-enfranchise individuals.
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How May the Ministry Increase Its Efficiency and Usefulness?
1887 essay urging ministers to boost effectiveness via repeated, Christ-centered preaching, biblical study, pastoral sympathy, and cooperative specialization of ministerial gifts.
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Showing 16,061–16,080 of 22,006 items